Cardinal Giovanni de' Medici Going as Legate to Florence c. 16th century

Editor: This print, "Cardinal Giovanni de' Medici Going as Legate to Florence" by Pietro Santi Bartoli, depicts a grand procession. There's a definite sense of power being conveyed. What historical narratives do you see at play here? Curator: It's crucial to recognize the Medici's political maneuvering. Bartoli represents Giovanni's return after his father's death. But it also speaks to the broader system of patronage and power within the Catholic Church. Where do we see this reflected today? Editor: So it's about understanding the visual language of power and how it perpetuates across centuries? Curator: Precisely. How does this imagery serve the Medici narrative? Who benefits, and who is marginalized? These are critical questions. It reveals the structures of privilege that were, and continue to be, entrenched in our institutions. Editor: I never thought about it in terms of who it leaves out. Curator: Art is rarely neutral. It reflects and reinforces social hierarchies. That is why we need to reflect on who is being portrayed and who isn’t. Editor: That's a compelling point of view. Thank you!